Printing cylinder register control unit

ABSTRACT

A printing machine incorporates a register control unit connected with the printing cylinder. The main line drive shaft provides power to drive the printing cylinder. Activation of the register control unit permit the advancing or retarding of the printing cylinder independent of the line drive during operation. A doctor blade holder is pivotally mounted to bring the doctor blade in contact with the anilox roll to insure uniform ink application.

United States Patent [191 Schultz 1 1 PRINTING CYLINDER REGISTER CONTROL UNIT [75] Inventor: John E. Schultz, Cincinnati, Ohio [73] Assignee: International Machine Products,

Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio [22] Filed: Nov. 2, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 303,108

[52] US. Cl 101/248, 101/169, 101/350,

[51] Int. Cl. B411 13/12, B41f 9/10 [58] Field of Search 101/248, 181, 226228, 101/169, 350; 74/675 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,649,812 11/1927 Crompton 101/248 1,951,536 3/1934 Swift 101/248 2,030,027 2/1936 Greenwood... 101/248 2,234,647 3/1941 Jacobson 101/248 June 18, 1974 2,570,045 10/1951 Bojanower 101/248 2,975,706 3/1961 Moser 101/226 3,098,436 7/1963 Hornberger 101/248 3,218,696 11/1965 Nagel 10l/248 3,333,535 8/1967 Behringer 101/169 3,604,350 9/1971 Rosenstadt 101/248 Primary Examiner.1. Reed Fisher Assistant Examiner-William Pieprz Attorney, Agent, or FirmJohn G. Schenk 5 7 ABSTRACT 3 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJun i a mu SHEET 3 [If 3 FIG.6

1 PRINTING CYLINDER REGISTER CONTROL UNIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to printing machines and more particularly to a printing machine having means to independently advance and retard the printing roll relative to the main line driving force.

In the printing field, it is important that the speed of the printing roll be synchronized with the speed of the paper or the like on which the printing is to be made. Any misalignment of the relative speeds will produce a printed matter in whichthe printing is not properly positioned. This problem becomes more acute when plural colors are used to print items in sequential stations. In the past, it has often been necessary to stop the machinery to make any adjustments in the drive mechanism in an attempt to correct any missynchronization. This is not only time consuming but does not provide any ready indication of whether the adjustment is correct. In other words, once the machinery is started you must wait for the printed matter to come through to be able to check to see that there is proper synchronization.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a printing machine in which the printing cylinder may be advanced or retarded during operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a printing machine having a register control unit operationally connected with the printing cylinder which will permit advancing and retarding of the cylinder during operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a printing machine which will permit the elimination of backlash that exists in the drive train.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a printing machine having means to insure uniform ink application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides an improved printing machine which permits independent advancing and retarding of the impression cylinder relative to the main line drive mechanism. A register control unit is driven by the main line drive shaft as is the impression cylinder. Independent motor means and gearing connect the register control unit with the impression cylinder wherein actuation of the register control unit motor will cause an advance or retard of the impression cylinder independently of the line drive shaft power supply. A rotary coupling permits rotation of the register control unit motor with the register control unit. A doctor blade holder is pivotally mounted on the machine to bring a doctor blade in contact with the anilox roll to assure uniform ink distribution. Means are provided to keep ink from spraying off the edge of the anilox roll at high speeds.

Other objects, details, uses and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description of the exemplary embodiment thereof presented in the accompanying drawings proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings show a present exemplary embodiment of this invention in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the printing machine looking towards the impression cylinder;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the printing machine of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view showing the register control unit;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view, partially broken away to show the position of the doctor blade;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view through the rotary cou- P g;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the doctor blade holder;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of one mounting bolt for the doctor blade holder; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the second mounting bolt for the doctor blade holder.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, which illustrate one exemplary embodiment of the printing machine of this invention, which is designated generally by the reference numeral 20. The printing machine 20 of this invention includes an impression cylinder 21, an anilox roll 22 and a rubber applicator roll 23. The cylinder 21, rolls 22 and 23 are respectively supported by journaled bearings in side walls 24 and 25 for rotary driven movement therein. The rotary driving of the rolls 22 and 23 is standard and need not be described herein. It should be noted that the printing machine generally shown at 20 is representative of a single printing station. In standard applications, it is obvious that a plurality of such stations may be aligned to sequentially imprint indicia on the base material.

The anilox roll 22 and applicator roll 23 are driven in a normal manner through suitable gearing 26 and 27 (FIG. 2). The function of the applicator roll 23 is to in sure the complete filling of the cells of the anilox roll 22 with ink. This is accomplished through both a direct mechanical pressure of the roll 23 against the roll 22 as well as through the hydrostatic pressure of the ink trying to squeeze up between the two rolls. As seen in FIG. 4, the applicator roll 23 is pivotally mounted by lever 28. Accordingly, more or less pressure of roll 23 against the anilox roll 22 may be made to occur by loosening the handle 29 and pivoting the lever 28 to change the contact pressure between the applicator roll 23 and anilox roll 22.

Referring once again to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, it can be seen that the impression cylinder 21 is mounted about shaft 30 which extends through the wall 25. Shaft 30 is supported in wall 25 for rotational movement relative thereto by suitable bearings 31. Appropriate bearings are also provided to support the shaft 30 in wall 24. Shaft 30 extends outwardly of the wall 31 and termi nates within a register control unit generally designated as 32. The shaft 30 is connected with a drive gear 33 through a woodruff key 34. The drive gear 33 is rotatably mounted by suitable means such as a sliding fit or the like, in a wall or flange 35 of the control unit 32 to be freely rotatable relative thereto.

A spur gear 36 is securedly connected with the wall 35 by means of a plurality of bolts 37. Spacers 38 provide axial displacement of the spur gear 36 relative to the wall 35. The spur gear 36 is mounted about the shaft by a suitable bearing 39. it is thus seen that the spur gear 36 is freely rotatable about the shaft 38, yet is directly connected with the register control unit 32 through the bolts 37 and spacers 38. Thus, any rotational movement of the spur gear 36 will be imparted to the control unit 32.

The primary driving force for the printing machine 20 is supplied through a main line drive shaft 48 as seen in FIGS. l and 3. The drive force of the shaft 48 is im parted to the spur gear 36 through a set of miter gears 41 and 42, shaft 43 and spur gear 44. The spur gear 44 is fixed to shaft 43 for rotation therewith. Spur gear 44 engages spur gear 36 and thereby drives impression cylinder 21 through the register control unit 32 as hereinabove described. With this configuration, it is seen that the impression cylinder 21 rotates in synchronization with the drive shaft 40. It should be noted that the drive shaft also provides the driving force for the anilox roll in a known manner.

Should it be necessary to vary the speed of the impression cylinder 21 due to a missynchronization for any reason, it is necessary to provide a second source of power through suitable means such as the motor generally designated as 45 to the register control unit 32 to cause an advancing or retarding of the shaft 36 as will be explained hereinbelow. The motor 45 may be of any suitable type and for purposes of this explanation an air motor is illustrated and described. It is seen in FIGS. l, 2 and 3 that the motor 45 is mounted to a wall or flange 46 of the control unit 32. Walls 35 and 46 are connected by spacer blocks 47, 48, 49 and 50 (FIG. 5). The spacer blocks 47-58 also serve as bearing mounts as will be explained hereinbelow.

The source of power for the motor 45 is provided through a rotary coupling designated generally as 5i. As best seen in FIG. 7, the rotary coupling 51 includes a shaft 52 which is securedly connected with the motor 45. An annular housing 53 is mounted about the shaft 52 for rotational movement relative to the shaft 52. Suitable O-rings or the like 54, 55 and 56 mounted about the shaft 52 cooperate with the inner surface of the housing 53 to provide a suitable fluid seal between the shaft 52 and housing 53. Separate annular chamber 57 and 58 are formed between the shaft 52 and housing 53 by the respective O-rings 54, 55 and 56. Suitable 0- rings clamps or the like 53 and 60 are mounted on the shaft 52 to position the housing 53 relative thereto and to prevent axial movement of the housing 53 relative to the shaft 52. 1

The shaft 52 is provided with dual bores 6ll and 62 extending from one end to adjacent the motor 45 connecting end. Suitable seal means such as plugs or the like 63 and 64 are respectively secured in the ends of the bores 61 and 62 to seal the bores. An aperture 65 is formed in the shaft 52 to provide communication between annular chamber 58 and bore 611 while aperture 66 provides communication between the annular chamber 57 and bore 62. Suitable elbow connections or the like 67 and 68 are respectively mounted to the housing 53 to provide communication between inlet line 69 and 70 with the respective annular chambers 57 and 58. Elbow connections 71 and 72 are mounted in the shaft 52 to provide communication between the bores 61 and 62 respectively with the lines 73 and 74. Lines 73 and 74 terminate in motor 45 to provide the motive force for the motor. The motor 45 may be rotated in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction depending on the source of input fluid from either line 73 or 74. it is seen that the motor 45 is directly connected with the register control unit 32 and will rotate therewith. Rotation of the motor 45 will cause a like rotation of the shaft 52 (H6. 7). However, the housing 53 will remain stationary clue to the coupling construction hereinabove described. Thus, even though the control unit 32 and motor 45 are rotating, a source of power may be applied to the motor 45 through inlet lines 63 and '78 to cause the motor 45 to provide a second source of power to the shaft 36 as will be explained hereinbelow.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 5 and 6, the output shaft 75 of motor 45 is in axial alignment with the shaft 36). A pinion gear 76 is mounted on shaft 75 and simultaneously engages and drives spur gears 77 and 78. The spur gears 77 and 78 in turn drive worm gears 79 and 86. it should be noted that the worm gears 79 and 80 are mounted respectively on shafts and 86. Spur gears 77 and 78 are likewise mounted on shafts 85 and 86. The axis of the shafts 85 and 86 are parallel to the axis of shaft The shafts 85 and 86 are carried between walls 35 and 46.

in PM}. 5 it is seen that the spacer blocks 47 and 48 provide bearing mounts for rotatable shaft 87 and spacer blocks 49 and 56 provide bearing mounts for rotatable shaft 88. Spur gear 8H and worm gear 83 are mounted on shaft 87 and spur gear 82 and worm gear 84 are mounted on shaft 88. Thus, it is seen that worm gears 79 and 88 respectively drive spur gears 81 and 82. The spur gears 83 and 82 drive the worm gears 83 and 84 respectively through the shaft 87 and 88. The worm gears 83 and 84 both drive the gear 33. It can be observed that there is a balanced drive from the motor 45 to the shaft 38. in other words, a single output shaft 75 from the motor 45 drives gears 77 and 78 through gears 79 and 88, gears 81 and 82, gears 83 and 84, which in turn drive back to a single gear 33. The balanced gearing of the register control unit 32 is thus symmetrical about the axis of the shaft 30. An advantage of the symmetrical configuration of the gears of the register control unit 32 is to permit the operator to remove any clearance or backlash that exists in the drive train. This may be accomplished by counterrotating gears 77 and 78 which backs one of the worm gears against the other and in effect the gears are locked one against the other. As the gears wear through normal usage, such wear tolerances may be removed as above described.

ln normal operation, i.e., in the absence of power supplied to the motor 45, the gears within the register control unit 32 are in effect stationary. The shaft 30 is driven from the drive shaft 48 through spur gear 36 to the wall 35 which rotates the entire register control unit 32, as well as the motor 45. Hence, the power is supplied through the control unit 32 directly to the shaft 38 as though the gear 36 was connected directly to the shaft 38. When the motor 45 is actuated by the input of air through either inlet line 69 or 78, the output shaft 75 is rotationally driven in a known manner. This causes a rotation of the above described gear train within the register control unit 32 even though the control unit 32 and motor 45 are rotating. The effect of driving the gear train within the control unit 32 is the addition or subtraction of power to the shaft 30 from the main power being supplied by the drive shaft 40.

Thus, by actuation of the motor 45 to provide a second source of power, the printing roll 21 may be caused to advance or retard in its relative speed so as to correct any misprinting which may be occurring due to nonsynchronization of the respective impression cylinder and anilox rolls.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 4, 8 and 9 the doctor blade holder 89 is mounted between walls 24 and 25 so as to bring the doctor blade 93 (FIG. 9) into position relative to the anilox roll 22. The doctor blade holder 89 is pivotally supported by mounting bolts 91 and 92 (FIGS. and 11). The mounting bolt 91 is formed with a conical shaped portion in the head and the mounting bolt 92 is formed with a similar conical shaped portion at the tail. The conical shaped portions of bolts 91 and 92 receive complementally formed portions of shaft 90 (FIG. 8) which carries the doctor blade holder 89. Use of the mounting bolts 91 and 92 will permit relative adjustment of the doctor blade holder relative to the axis of the roll 22 so as to properly position the doctor blade 93 relative thereto. The doctor blade 93 is preferably made of thin spring steel and abuts against shoulder 94 as seen in FIG. 9. The blade 93 is held in place by the clamp bar 95 and a plurality of bolts 96. Mylar strips 97 and 98 are mounted at each side of the doctor blade holder 89 and held in place by clamps 99 and 100. The Mylar strips 97 and 98 rap around and over the edge of the anilox roll 22. These strips keep ink from spraying off the edge of the operation of the doctor blade 93 relative to the anilox roll 22, the angle A should be between -35.

It can be seen that a printing machine has been provided which permits advancing or retarding of the printing cylinder independently of the main line drive shaft power input. The register control unit provides a second power input to accomplish the advancing or re tarding of the printing cylinder. Means are provided to insure uniform ink distribution of the anilox roll. Accordingly, the objectives hereinbefore set forth have been accomplished.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a printing machine of the type wherein an applicator roll, anilox roll and printing cylinder are mounted between supporting walls, and wherein ink is transferred from an ink reservoir to the anilox roll by the applicator roll, and wherein the rolls and cylinder are rotationally driven from a primary source of power, and wherein one end of the shaft carrying the printing cylinder extends axially outward from one supporting wall, and wherein a primary gear is mounted for rotary movement on the shaft extension and is in meshing engagement with the primary source of power, and wherein the primary source of power provides a primary rotary force for rotationally driving the primary gear, the improvement which comprises: a drive gear keyed to the shaft extension, a control unit axially defined by first and second walls, said unit first wall being rotationally mounted about said drive gear, said first wall being fixedly connected with said primary gear for rotation therewith, a first pair of drive worm gears mounted between said first and second walls in symmetrically balanced relationship about said drive gear, said worm gears meshing with said drive gear to rotate said drive gear with said control unit thereby providing a primary drive connection between the primary gear and said shaft extension, a bi-directional motor mounted on said second wall, said motor having an output drive shaft axially aligned with the shaft extension and projecting through said second wall into said control unit, said motor generating a second rotary force independent of the primary rotary source, balanced gear means symmetrically mounted in said control unit operatively connecting said motor output shaft with said drive gear engaging worm gears, said balanced gear means include a pair of spur gears driven by said motor output drive shaft, a second pair of drive worm gears respectively driven by said spur gears, each spur gear and second drive worm gear being respectively mounted on a common shaft having an axis parallel to the shaft extension axis, a second pair of spur gears respectively driven by said second drive worm gears, each one of said second pair of spur gears respectively driving one of said second drive worm gears, each one of said second pair of spur gears and said second drive worm gears being respectively mounted on a common shaft of a second pair of shafts whose axes are transverse to the axis of said shaft extension, each of said second shafts being mounted for rotational movement between spacer blocks, said spacer blocks being secured between said first and second walls of said control unit wherein said first drive worm gears and balanced gear means are stationary with respect to the control unit during rotational movement of said control unit in response to the primary rotary force and in the absence of the second rotary force and wherein said second rotary force from said motor drive shaft is transmitted through said balance gear means to drive said first drive worm gears thereby rotationally driving said drive gear whereby the rotational speed of said shaft extension is changed independently of said primary rotary force in response to the direction of rotation of said motor output drive shaft.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a doctor blade holder carried on a shaft, mounting means for pivotally securing said doctor blade holder shaft between the supporting walls, a blade mounted to said doctor blade holder for engagement with the anilox roll to insure uniform ink distribution thereon, elongated wiping strips secured at each end of said doctor blade holder, each of said strips overlying and wrapping about each end of the anilox roll to prevent ink spraying therefrom during high speed rotation of the roll.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said motor'is an air driven motor and further comprising a rotary coupling connecting said motor with the source of air, said rotary coupling including a coupling shaft axially extending outwardly from said motor, said coupling shaft being in axial alignment with the shaft extension, an annular housing mounted about said coupling shaft, seal means cooperating between said coupling shaft and annular housing to define first and second annular chambers therebetween, said coupling shaft being rotatable relative to said annular housing, an inlet line connecting one annular chamber with the source of air, a second inlet line connecting the second annular chamber with the source of air, first and second axial bores formed in said coupling shaft respec tively communicating with said first and second annular chambers, first and second output lines respectively connected with said first and second axial bores for connecting said rotary coupling with said air motor wherein air supplied to the first inlet line will drive said motor output drive shaft in one direction and air supplied to the second inlet line will drive said motor output drive shaft in the opposite direction wherein said balanced gear means is driven in opposite directions in response to said motor output drive shaft.

=1 #1 t =l= i 

1. In combination with a printing machine of the type wherein an applicator roll, anilox roll and printing cylinder are mounted between supporting walls, and wherein ink is transferred from an ink reservoir to the anilox roll by the applicator roll, and wherein the rolls and cylinder are rotationally driven from a primary source of power, and wherein one end of the shaft carrying the printing cylinder extends axially outward from one supporting wall, and wherein a primary gear is mounted for rotary movement on the shaft extension and is in meshing engagement with the primary source of power, and wherein the primary source of power provides a primary rotary force for rotationally driving the primary gear, the improvement which comprises: a drive gear keyed to the shaft extension, a control unit axially defined by first and second walls, said unit first wall being rotationally mounted about said drive gear, said first wall being fixedly connected with said primary gear for rotation therewith, a first pair of drive worm gears mounted between said first and second walls in symmetrically balanced relationship about said drive gear, said worm gears meshing with said drive gear to rotate said drive gear with said control unit thereby providing a primary drive connection between the primary gear and said shaft extension, a bi-directional motor mounted on said second wall, said motor having an output drive shaft axially aligned with the shaft extension and projecting through said second wall into said control unit, said motor generating a second rotary force independent of the primary rotary source, balanced gear means symmetrically mounted in said control unit operatively connecting said motor output shaft with said drive gear engaging worm gears, said balanced gear means include a pair of spur gears driven by said motor output drive shaft, a second pair of drive worm gears respectively driven by said spur gears, each spur gear and second drive worm gear being respectively mounted on a common shaft having an axis parallel to the shaft extension axis, a second pair of spur gears respectively driven by said second drive worm gears, each one of said second pair of spur gears respectively driving one of said second drive worm gears, each one of said second pair of spur gears and said second drive worm gears being respectively mounted on a common shaft of a second pair of shafts whose axes are transverse to the axis of said shaft extension, each of said second shafts being mounted for rotational movement between spacer blocks, said spacer blocks being secured between said first and second walls of said control unit wherein said first drive worm gears and balanced gear means are stationary with respect to the control unit during rotational movement of said control unit in response to the primary rotary force and in the absence of the second rotary force and wherein said second rotary force from said motor drive shaft is transmitted through said balance gear means to drive said first drive worm gears thereby rotationally driving said drive gear whereby the rotational speed of said shaft extension is changed independently of said primary rotary force in response to the direction of rotation of said motor output drive shaft.
 2. The combination as set forth in claiM 1 further comprising a doctor blade holder carried on a shaft, mounting means for pivotally securing said doctor blade holder shaft between the supporting walls, a blade mounted to said doctor blade holder for engagement with the anilox roll to insure uniform ink distribution thereon, elongated wiping strips secured at each end of said doctor blade holder, each of said strips overlying and wrapping about each end of the anilox roll to prevent ink spraying therefrom during high speed rotation of the roll.
 3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said motor is an air driven motor and further comprising a rotary coupling connecting said motor with the source of air, said rotary coupling including a coupling shaft axially extending outwardly from said motor, said coupling shaft being in axial alignment with the shaft extension, an annular housing mounted about said coupling shaft, seal means cooperating between said coupling shaft and annular housing to define first and second annular chambers therebetween, said coupling shaft being rotatable relative to said annular housing, an inlet line connecting one annular chamber with the source of air, a second inlet line connecting the second annular chamber with the source of air, first and second axial bores formed in said coupling shaft respectively communicating with said first and second annular chambers, first and second output lines respectively connected with said first and second axial bores for connecting said rotary coupling with said air motor wherein air supplied to the first inlet line will drive said motor output drive shaft in one direction and air supplied to the second inlet line will drive said motor output drive shaft in the opposite direction wherein said balanced gear means is driven in opposite directions in response to said motor output drive shaft. 